Not sure fans expected his answer. Now the pressure is on Todd McLellan. Full story below:

On Thursday, the Red Wings fired coach Derek Lalonde on Thursday and named Todd McLellan as his replacement amid another disappointing season in Detroit. On Friday morning, general manager Steve Yzerman held a press conference to speak about the change that comes with the Red Wings on a three-game skid and having lost nine of their past 12. Ahead of Friday’s night action, in which the Wings take on the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit sits seventh in the Atlantic Division with 30 points, eight behind the Ottawa Senators for the second wild-card spot.

When explaining why he finally parted ways with Lalonde to hire McLellan, Yzerman revealed the real reason behind the coaching change, per David Alter, saying that his expectations for his team this season was to compete for a wild card spot.

“Clearly we aren’t there, hence the change (of head coach).”

Almost immediately, fans reacted to the general manager’s statement, wondering how he could have such low expectations for his own team. Detroit has been on a long retooling process, and since the additions of both Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, so much more was expected for the club.

McLellan signed a multiyear contract to start his fourth stint as an NHL head coach after stop with the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles KIngs. He has a career record of 598-412-134 and has guided his teams to the playoffs nine times. His Sharks reached the Western Conference finals in 2010 and 2011.

And so I guess there is still some hope in Detroit to meet Yzerman’s expectations.

Watch the full press conference thanks to the video here below: